What to Expect Tron Lightcycle Run Coaster 

Tron is heading to the Magic Kingdom. Scheduled to open on April 4, 2023, TRON Lightcycle Run will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world. Before the attraction officially opens, cast members will be the first to enter the Grid during special previews. Plus there will be preview opportunities coming for guests too, including Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members.

What is Tron?

In 1982, Disney made filmmaking history with TRON, the first production of its kind to mix live action with computer-generated visuals and backlit animation. This iconic film went on to inspire video games, comic books, an animated series, and the 2010 sequel TRON: Legacy as well as this new Disney theme park attraction.

Where is the Tron ride at Disney World?

this …

The new Lightcycle Run is located right next to Space Mountain in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. And sits behind the Tomorrowland speedway. It is tucked back behind the train tracks and will be accessed from a short pathway by Space Mountain. If you want to see the ride you can view it from the People Moved attraction in Tomorrowland as well as from the Train which is now back up and running.

What to Expect on Tron Lightcycle Run

The walk up to the entrance of Tron Lightcycle Run has many areas to view the ride. An added bonus is a lot of it is under the canopy which if you are there during the daylight hours helps with that intense Florida heat. As you approach, you will notice that you are at an elevation almost equal to the top of Space Mountain.

There is also a photo op in front of a large Tron backdrop with the ride vehicles in front. Cast members were there to help guests try out the vehicle and to see how you will board the vehicles.

Upon entering, you start in a narrow hallway that actually looked like we were entering the grid! As we wound our way through, we passed over the actual loading zone to get a sneak peek of the actual ride and continued to a room where the line wound around three times. It was here that we were given the ride set-up and boarding instructions.

Lockers at Tron

Up next in the queue is lockers. This is a popular thing you find over at Universal Studios but it’s the first Disney coaster to have lockers. You do need to put all your items in a locker before boarding Tron. It’s not as strict as Volaster Coaster, you won’t be going through a metal dector to make sure you don’t have any loose items.

Tron does allow you to take small items on the coaster. You may be able to keep small items in your pocket, we just found that it was very uncomfortable to have items in your pocket with the position you are in on the bike. Thankfully there is a small compartment on the bike, the comparent is able to hold a phone, wallet and maybe car keys. Things like backpacks, fanny packs and other large items must be placed into a locker.

When in the room of lockers, you can find an available one by looking for those lit up blue. To open an available locker you can use your MagicBand or the card verision of the park ticket (Note: your Apple Watch and Phone do not work to open these lockers.) You are encouraged to put all of your party’s items in one locker. The lockers are pretty large, we were able to put a Loungefly backpack and several small items in our locker.

All in all you there are plenty of lockers availabale for use, the ride has seven sections of lockers along a long walkway to spread the riders out and keep the line moving. The ride exit will bring you to the back side of the lockers and allow you to collect your items before you leave.

Loading onto Tron Lightcycles

We continued down the hall and were immediately brought down a ramp that splits the line into a separate line for each of the two loading areas. At this point you can see each of the ride vehicles. When we reached the end of the line a cast member assigned us to row in the loading area.

Now comes the part that the video stresses: KNEEL, LEAN & PULL. First, there are two ride vehicles side by side. The rider that needs to sit on the far side of the coaster must go behind the vehicle and mount from that side. This process will need to be repeated when unloading from the vehicile. It’s definitely out of the norm and caused some confusion when we were riding.

Since this is simulating a “motorcycle”, you have to lift your leg over it to sit on the seat. While these seats are often compared to those on Flight of Passage they do still load differently. But they do lock you in via a calf restratint just like on Flight of Passage.

Next, you have to kneel into the ride vehicle, which wasn’t hard, and then lean forward and pull back on the handlebars to lower the back brace. This was an awkward procedure for the first ride and you are also under the pressure of not holding up the ride. I must say that it felt a little awkward essental laying on your stomach, but once the ride started I was able to sit up a little more.

The Coaster

Now it’s time to ride and you are on a race for Team Blue! The ride takes off and goes outside the building and looped around the area where we just stood in the queue. It was cool seeing the sights as we accelerated, but there we no large drops or big surprises on the ride.

We re-entered the building and raced through the rest of the course. The ride had the feel of a heavy vehicle and it suprised me that it didn’t feel like we were going crazy fast. When we returned to the unloading area, my first question to my riding partner was “is it over already?” When we arrived at the unloading area, it was slightly awkward dismounting from the vehicle and if you are on the other side of the ride, you had to walk between the vehicles to get to the exit ramp.

How Fast Does the Tron Ride Go?

If you have a need for speed this is your roller coaster! At top speeds of 60 miles per hour, Tron Lightcycle Run will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.

Intensity of Tron Lightcycle Run

Whenever a new coaster opens this is always the first question I want anwsered. Tron Lightcycle Run is definetly the fastest and most intense ride offered at Magic Kingdom. But it is far from the most intense roller coaster at Walt Disney World. We give that crown to Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind over at Epcot. The most comparable coaster I would say is Rock n’ Roller Coaster over at Hollywood Studios.

How Long is Tron Lightcycle Ride?

A common comment about Tron is that the ride is very short. The coaster is less than two minutes long and it does end very quickly. The two minutes length does include launch and some slower parts, as well as returning to the unload area. Only about half that time, aka about a minute is the real high speed coaster. For this reason we don’t advise spending hours waiting in line to try out this coaster when the whole experience is done in under 2 minutes.

Will I Fit on Tron Lightcycle Run?

There is a lot of buzz around this new vehicle as it is an awkward seat and more people than normal are not fitting into these ride vehicles. Not to worry though if you don’t fit into the standard motorcycle seat they have an accessibility seat where you sit like you would in a chair on a typical coaster. The accessbility seats do have a lap bar restraint. This not only works for larger guests but also anyone who has mobilty concerns.

Well, how do you know if you will have an issue fitting onto the standard vehicle? There is a tester seat outside the attraction just like Flight of Passage and you can test out the seat there. We find that guests who have bigger calves and short legs or very long legs are struggling with the seats. The ride vehicle is very forgiving if you are concerned that you may not fit due to a large chest or waistline.

The TRON test seats also act as a photo op which means the line to see if you fit will also be the same line as people who want to take forever to take photos with the Lightcycles. Once you get a chance to sit on the Lightcycle, you straddle it like a motorcycle and then you pull the handlebars toward you to lock you in place. These 2 pegs come out of the vehicle and lock your legs. As long as it’s able to lock completely, you are clear to go. Our friend who is 6’ 2”, a 40 waist, and about 300 lb, had zero problems with these vehicles.

It also seems to be that if you fit onto the vehicles at Flight of Passage that generally you will be able to fit on the motorbikes for Tron.

Height Requirement for Tron

You must be at least 48″ tall in order to ride Tron at the Magic Kingdom. Rock and Roller coaster at Hollywood Studios is the only other ride with this high of a height treshold.

How to Ride Tron Lightcycle Run

It’s important to note that Disney has confirmed when Tron first opens there will not be a standby queue for this attraction. To start there will only be two ways to ride.

Virtual Queue

The virtual queue will work the same as the last few attraction that have opened at Walt Disney World. You will be able to secure your spot in the virtual queue for FREE via the My Disney Experience app. There are two times during the day that you can try to enter into the virtual queue. The first is at all your 7am and you will need to have a park reservation that day for Magic Kingdom. To book at 7 am you do not have to be inside that park.

To join in the 1pm opening you will need to have at least entered the turnstyles at Magic Kingdom. You don’t still have to be at the park. The virtual queue is essentially a lottery system there are so many people trying to join at the same time it’s hard to know if you will get in.

Individual Lightning Lane

If you are willing to pay extra to ride Tron Lightcycle run there is also an added option of Lightning Lane. Disney has yet to annouce the starting cost for this attraction but Lighning Lane prices to vary from day to day depending on how busy the park is. Individual Lightning Lanes can be purchased first by Disney resort guests so be warned that they may sell out before you get a chance to buy them at park opening time.

Ride Photo for Tron

There will be an on ride photo taken during your Lightcycle Run, we just don’t know exactly where it will be taken just yet. I suspect it will be during the launch sequence. In order to get your on ride photo be sure to wear your Magicband while you ride.

Video of Tron

Here is a peek at what to expect as you go through the queue for Tron at Magic Kingdom.

Conclusion on Tron Lightcycle Run

I was disappointed in how short the ride was and vaguely underwhelmed by the ride. I have eagerly awaited this ride for a couple of years now. We both rated the ride on our walk out and I gave it an 8 out of 10 and my ride partner gave it a 9 out of 10. Don’t get me wrong, this will be my favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom, but I expected way more from it, especially after Guardians of Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, which will remain my favorite ride at Disney World.

Let us know in the comment section below if you will be climbing aboard your very own Lightcycle and taking off on a high-speed adventure, racing against the Grid’s most menacing Programs.